The Roanoker November/December 2023 - 72

homes
Humidity, in addition to the temperature, is a variable that needs On display
careful consideration for proper wine storage. Moisture promotes mold
growth, and is therefore one of the top enemies to aging wine. If humidity
is too low, it can cause the cork to dry out and shrink, exposing the
wine inside the bottle to the air. When this happens, the wine will
oxidize, creating a distinct vinegar odor and losing its color.
The thing about basements
Full disclosure: We have had to work with unfinished basements
because well, it's what we have. This comes with some risk that we've
had to navigate, specifically monitoring areas that might get water
or moisture during big rains, and avoiding areas that might get any
changing light throughout the day.
If your basement is unfinished or not well insulated, it might not
suit your project. However, in some cases, you'll find conditions are
close enough to work. So start by testing out the space with a temperature
and humidity gauge, which can be found for $10 or less at
most big box stores. We also have a dehumidifier to help, and keep a
wine cooler for some of our special (long-term) bottles, since a longer
aging process makes controlling all the different marginal variables
more important.
Wine requires square footage, so depending on where you live, this might
mean that your only option is one of your living spaces. Depending on
your interests in aging wine or just having a couple of cases on hand
for parties and weekly dinners, you will still need at least a bookshelf's
worth of area to put the bottles. As long as you choose a space that is
protected from any prolonged sunlight, this shouldn't be a problem. And
truthfully, it will keep your bottles top of mind so nothing is forgotten
and left past its drinking prime.
There are tons of cute wine storage units out there, but what should
you be looking for? The most essential element is a quality material. The
last thing you want is a rack that will only warp or buckle under the
weight of the bottles after a few months. Look for wood or metal over
particle board, and ideally you want a rack that has the bottle angled
somewhere between horizontal and 45 degrees with the cork facing
down. This keeps the liquid on the cork, preventing it from drying out
and letting air in.
One fun thing to note about champagne: since the pressure on the
inside of the bottle is higher than that of a still wine, it is not essential
that champagne is stored on its side. A cool, dark environment that
doesn't fluctuate is, once again, more important than anything else! I
STEPHANIE H. FALLON is a writer and artist originally from Houston, Texas. She has her BA in English and Studio Art and her MFA in Creative Writing from Hollins University. You can check
out her portfolio at stephaniehfallon.com or find her on Instagram: @shlohbo.
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The Roanoker November/December 2023

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